Building construction



l June 17, 1941.

H. vBRALOFF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed Se'pt. 27, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet' 1 ATTORNEY.

H. BRALOFF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed sept. 27, 1959 y 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. M

vATTO June 17, 1941.v

Patented June 17, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,245,644 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION p Henry Braloff, Rockville Centre, N. Application September 27, 1939, Serial No. 296,733

(o1. 'zz-46) 7 Claims.

My invention generally relates to building construction, and more particularly relates to improved arrangements for facilitating; the construction of plastered Walls and partitions of the buildings.

In the construction of pre-fabricated buildings and relatively inexpensive homes, labor is van important factor in the nal cost. Efforts have been made to reduce the labor and' difficulties attendant on the construction of plastered walls and partitions. The present invention is' directed to further facilitate the use of tracks and vertical bars adjacent to the Wall for supporting a metal lath or mesh upon which the plaster is placed. Skilled attention and care was heretofore necessary in aligning the tracks with respect to the required wall surface, since the position of the tracks finally determined the plane of the Wall.

According to my present inventio'nI provide I a novel arrangement for the tracks'and associated vertical connecting bars permitting" a plurality of positions for the'v'ertical bars in a direction transverse to the plane of the wall.V 'The actual plane of the Wall accordingly'm'ay be determined subsequent to the laying of the tracks, and any one of a plurality of positions for the vertical bars may be used, as will hereinafter be described in detail. A further important feature of my present invention resides in the novel construction for the tracks, wherein the major section thereof may be used in wall constructions, and a further element combined therewith for adapting the tracks for partition constructions.

These and other advantages, capabilities and features of the invention will appear in the subjoined detailed description of specific embodiments thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front View of a wall assembly,

partially broken away, indicatingfthe arrange-y ment of its components.

Figure 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1, through the wall assembly. Y

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective View of the section of the top or ceiling trackior accommodating the vertical channel bars.

Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective View of a section ofthe base or floor -track, with a separable partition unit spaced from the body of the track. Y v

Figures 5 and 6 are vertical cross-sectional views through the base of a partition assembly in accordance with the invention, showing the lva- .r

the proper vvertical slot 2t thereto.

riable positioning .of the vertical channel bars with respect to the base track.

Figures 7 and 8 are vertical cross-sectional views of a base track assembly for a wall, illustrating the variable positioning of the vertical channel bars therein.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a section of la modified form of base track.

Figure 1 is a front'view, illustrating the arrangement of the track and bar assembly, and Figure 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view therethrough. The external wall is indicated at I il, which is generally of masonry, such as brick, although it may be of terra cotta, tile, stone, etc. The outside edge Il of the masonry wall II) is generally made plumb or otherwise perpendicular tothe floor or base I2. However, the inside edge 'I3 of the Wall is usually not plumb, and may contain irregularities which may interfere with the construction of the plaster wall adjacent In prior constructions, protuberances of inside surface I3 introduced difficulties 'in the proper positioning of the ceiling and base tracks I4 and I5. I-Ieretofore, the position of tracks I4 and I5 vdetermined the final plane of the plaster wall I6.

A protuberance by brick 4or other surface I3 interfered with the plane of plaster wall I6, and

required repositioning of either tracks It or I5, or both. As will be apparent hereinafter, my

Vnovel construction permits several positions for the vertical supporting for the plaster wall with respect to the linner. wall surface I3, greatly facilitating the installation of the tracks I@ and I5 and associated structure.

Vertical metal bars or channels Il are positioned between ceiling track I4 and base track I5 in the manner tol be described. Wire lath or mesh I8 is securedjby Wire or other suitable means to thevertical bars Il in the usual manner. IThe plasteredsurfa'cev I6 is applied to the Wire lath to complete the wall construction.

Ceiling track I4 contains a plurality of spaced vertical slots 20 having chamfered edges 2I. Base track I5 contains an arrangement of slots 36 and 3l to accommodate the bottom edge of channel Il. The channel bar is first inserted in of ceiling track lli, which slot is elongated so that the bar may be slipped up and permit its lower end to be placed into the accommodating slots of lower track I5.

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective illustration lof.A one form which the ceiling 'track I4 may as- Y the bottom Vedge'o'fjac'e t2` the track is secured with nails 23' to a beam 24 or other surface at the top of the proposed wall, as illustrated in Figures l and 2. A series of plaster holes 25 are provided in the vertical side 26 of track I4 for bonding thereof with the plaster. A further vertical wall 21 is parallel with wall 25 and spaced therefrom forming the forward face of track I4. The illustrated ceiling track is of unitary sheet construction, interconnecting with strips- Zjoining the parallel vertical walls 2S and 21. 'l l Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective illustration of a section of base track I5 constructed in-` accordance with the present invention. Base track I5 comprises horizontal face or base`30 instructural unit for use in the construction of partitions or walls; the additional base board. unit 40, 4I being employed therewith for the construction of partitions effecting material savings in stock or expensive special items for the builder.

Figures 5 and 6 are vertical sectional views through a base track assembly for a partition, illustrating the variable positioning of vertical channel bars H' therein. The wire lath I8 is secured tobar -Ilin the usual manner, and the plaster I6 is applied to the wire lath I8. Up-

- wardly extending faces 3| and 45 of track sections v I5. and .unit 40, 4I respectively form the base tegrally joined with vertical side cr a'ce 3l. Vertical side 3l forms the baseboard for. the/plaster.

wall, as indicated in Figures l and 2. Track I5 may be formed of plastic or compositionmaterial` by. molding 0r thelike, whereupon astiffenins joint 32 is provided; between perpendioular planes 3 0, and 3| ot the'track Lfor strengthening their juncture. The track may optionally be formed oi stamped sheet metal or othersuitable material, The track issecured in positiononv the iloory by nails introduced through a plurality of holes 33 spaced along the horizontal face 3B thereof, shown in Figures l and 4.

A series of receptacles 35 for acconnnQdlting the verticalbars Il is provided upon base 35 of track I5. Receptacles 35 extend upwardly from horizontal base 3,0 and contain opposed horizontal` slots'3I',l 36j between adjacent receptacle memb ers 35; 'I fhe transverse width of slots 3.5 is of the order of the thickness of the channel bars I] toploperly accommodate and interlock themyin a manner to be' described VinV more detail in connection with4 Fi'gure's and 8. Vertical recepboards for both sides of the partition. Channel bars., lili contain anges 55 and 5I. The inside distance between. channels 55 and 5I correspond to the overall width of receptacle members 35. The central section of channel bars I1 are fitted within spaces 31 between receptacles 35. in Fig- 'ure 5;, bar Il is show nin its central position- -In Figure 6^the left'fiange 50 is ttedin slot 36- of verticalA member 35.' The rightv iiangeV 5I' extends to the rightl of'unit 35.' Substantially one-half of thedwidth of bar .Il rests in verticalL slot 37, between,receptacleV units 35. Y

The' position ofV theV verticaln bars I'T and asso'- ciaoedwire lath I8, as showninFlgure 6;y is acil 'cordingly displaced ,to the right with respect to taclemembers 35 are spaced apart by,a distance V .l

equal' to the thickness of the 'channel barsll, forming vertical slots 31 for accommodatingthe channel bars. Members 35 are, rectangular in form and are molded integrally with base SDand track I5 if the track is of molded construction. t.

Members` 35 are' preferably hollow as shown.

'Whentrack I5'isiormed of sheet metal,4 hollow members 35'may be stamped out'n the required shape, or formed separately and su'tablypsecured tobase 30byf weldingjorany, other method. A sl'eparat'eV l'unit 4H),k 4 I is employed in 'conjunction with the base track I5, for, cove'rtingftrack I5 forY plaster partitions. In partitions there is no masonry or backi'lall,r and tworb'ase boardslon each side of theY plaster wall are required, adjacent .the floor. Sectior'ilIIl,l 4I I5A serve'sra's.anoveladdltion thereto for use as ythe secoridbasefboard, and forms'anf important feature orf the present invention.- section 4e, al comprises hangen i 46. Unit 40,11 isOfthe same material -rasftr a.ck I5. When molded, unit ll, 4I containslvastrengthened joint` 42 fon rigidin.. epseriesor speculations 43,. esten@ from flange.. 4I., v

In assemblinepnitit, 4.! with track l5. ,rear edge as 'oi Athe urt 40,!!! is placed maniement withedge I6 ci track I,5 Whereuponnlap/extension 43 extends over baseQfthe track- ,fl-.slot ifm 1311,43, coincides with slot A3;, 01; nacre-15, as will nowV be, evident. The track securing means, such asnails, are placed throughopenings 33 and 41, xedlypositioning trackI5Jand.;-sec tion 4I-on-the floor; as shownn Figures and. Base track I5-is accordingly-a standard vattachable. to track the central position thereof;Y shown in Figure 5. This displacement corresponds'to halfthev width ofjbarn I 'I. In practice, vertical bars |11 are of the order of`one to two nch'es'in width: The 'transverse'slots 3ipermit` positioning to-the right orleft 'of the central position of bar4 II; accordinglyf permitting a range ofu displacementsl for the verticaljbars Von the order otono-half inch to one inch'of'j either side ofA .the central'position. It is to be` underslt'oo,di,)that` the bars- 'II'inayf be displacedjrtopthe left of -Athe central position by positioning. their: right 'edges' 5I in slots j36 in- Y'stead' of the'left ledgesS; asl shown in Figure 6. "Such` alternate relation is illustratedin vFigure 8.

' Figures: "7 andj8" 'are vertical` cross-sections th'roughabase trackv assembly for a wall rather than a.partitionconstruction. The masomyor other Vouter 'vlla1-1fZ IU eliminates'the necessity for tlieljadditionfal;l base board" corresponding to face "llbf 'Figures jandm 6g Base track I5-is nailed or otherwisejsecuredjin position onV theffloor'in 'the'rnianner previously described; In Figure-7, channelbar I'Ifisjshown straddled around-reeep tacleV units 35 positioned; betweenthe vertical -slotsj3 1" thereof; corresponding to the central positioning.ofl the bars. In Figures' right edge A5I ,is yinserted in horizontal-slot 35 andthe-right hali'of the bottom channelbar II- rests'inthe vertical slot between adjacent-` members 35. Channel bars I'I are'accordingly spacediurther 'from wall' IU Athan in the corresponding central position, leaving a greater-1 space` betweenA the plaster wall I6and`the masonry Wall Iii.v Y The spacing from Wall I0"'to the plaster wall-Iomay be substantially reduced from the position jshown `in Figures '7V and''by insertingthe left-edge 5i) of bar II in slots l35, corresponding tothe illustration in Figure 6.

'A further form rwhichtloetrackmay assume in practice is illustrated `-at I5 -in Figure-9, wherein Vfive distinct --positions for the arrangement of vertical bars I1 may be effected. The-modied basejtrack AI 5 comprises al .baseilA containing receptacles-351 spaced to) form-vertical slots .37. in

afmanner-similar` to Athose of.; the previously/'described track l5." VThevertical front wall 13|', of track `I forms the base board of the plaster wall. In track I5-,- two sets of opposed tracks-6 0 and ,6l are used 'correspondingv to theosinglegset l36` of track l5. The anges50 and 5|V of bars Il may be straddled over receptacle units 35 for central positioning thereof, corresponding to the position shown in Figure '7.A However, multi-positioning of the vertical bars l 'I may be readily effected by inserting one or the other of flanges 50 or 5l of bars ll into one or the other of horiozntal slots 6o and 6l. Thus, bars l1 may be placed in either of two positions at the right or the left of the central position, corresponding to the two sets of horizontal slots, G and 6|.

It is to be understood that the present invention may assume other forms than the illustrated embodiments. The ceiling track I4 may be made similar to the base track described at l5 or I5 so that theV positioning of the top end of bars Il may be made to readily correspond to the variable positioning of the bottom ends thereof. One, two or more sets of horizontal slots corresponding to 36 or 5c, 6I may be made in the vertical receptacle units to permit even closer adjustment of the positioning of the vertical bars, and provide a greater number of optional positions for them. It is obvious that various changes and mcdiiications may be made in the details of construction without departing from the general spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A track for supporting ends of a group of channel bars for Wall construction comprising a base, a plurality of receptacle units extending upwardly from said base, said units being spaced from each other by an amount of the order of the thickness of said bars to accommodate an end of a bar, the width of said units being of the order of the distance between the anges of the channel bars to permit straddling of an end of a bar about a unit and within its spacing with tne next adjacent unit, each of said receptacle units having a transverse slot communicating with said spacings to accommodate one of the `flanges o f the channel bar extending longitudinally'in either direction, whereby a plurality of distinct alignments for the channel bars are provided in either direction.

2. A track for supporting ends of a group of channel bars for wall construction comprising a base, a plurality of receptacle units extending upwardly from said base, said units being spaced from each other by an amount of the order of the thickness of said bars to accommodate an end of a bar, the width of said units being of the order of the distance between the anges of the channel bars to permit straddling of an end of a bar about a unit and within its spacing with the next adjacent unitn each of said receptacle units having a transverse slot communicating with said spacings and having a thickness of the order of the thickness of the flanges of said channel bars to accommodate a flange of an end of the bar and hold the bar in suitable position for the wall the order of the construction, whereby a plurality of distinct alignments for the channel bars are provided.

3. A track :for supporting ends of a group of channel bars for wall construction comprising a base, a face extending upwardly from said base and integral therewith, a plurality of receptacle units integral with and extending upwardly from said base, said units being spaced yfrom each other by an amount of the order of the thickness of of said receptacle y distinct f alignments for cent spacing, hold said bars to accommodate an end of a bar, each units having a transverse slot communicating with the spacings between adjacent receptacle units to accommodate a flange -of an end of the bar and, in commotion with the walls of the unit adjacent the slot and the yadjacent spacing, hold the bar in suitable position for the wall construction` whereby a plurality of the channel bars are provided.

4. A track for supporting ends of a group of channel bars for wall construction comprising a base, a face extending upwardly from said base integral therewith and having a reenforced juncture therebetween, a plurality of receptacle units extending upwardly from said base, said units being spaced :from each other by an amount of the order of the thickness of the bars, the width of said units being of the order of the distance between the Ilanges of the channel bars to permit straddling of an end of a bar about a unit and within its spacing with the next adjacent unit, each ot said receptacle units having a transverse slot communicating with said spacings and having a thickness of the order of the thickness of the flanges of said channel bars to accommodate a flange of an end of the bar and hold the bar in suitable position for the wall construction, whereby a plurality of distinct alignments for the channel bars are provided for correspondingly optionally positioning the wall with respect to the track.

5. A track for supporting ends of a group of channel bars for wall construction comprising a base, a plurality of receptacle units extending upwardly from said base, said units being spaced from each other by an amount of the orderof the thickness of said bars, cach of said receptacle units having a plurality of transverse slots communicating withV the spacings between adjacent units to accommodate a flange of an end of the bar and, in conjunction with the walls of the unit adjacent the slot and the adjacent spacing, hold the bar in suitable position for the wall construction, whereby a plurality of distinct aligne ments Yfor the channel bars are provided.

o. A track for supporting ends of a group of channel bars for wall construction comprising a base, a face extending upwardly from said base and integralV therewith having a reenforced juncture therebetween integral with and extending upwardly from said base, said units being spaced from each other by an amount of the order of the thickness of said bars to accommodate an end of a bar, the width of said units being of distance between the flanges of the channel bars to permit straddling of an end of a bar about a unit and Within its spacing with the next adjacent unit, each of said receptacle units having a plurality of transverse slots communicating with said spacings and having a thickness of the order of the thickness of the flanges of said bars to accommodate a ange of an end of a bar and, in conjunction with the walls of the unit adjacent the slot and the adjathe bar in suitable position for the wall construction, whereby a plurality oi distinct alignments vided for correspondingly optionally positioning the Wall with respect to the track.

7. A track for supporting ends of a Vgroup of channel bars for wall construction comprising a base, a face exten ngupwardly from said base and integral therewith, a plurality of receptacle units integral with and extending upwardly from for the channel bars are prosaid base,feacn of said eeeptaclelunitshanga rtransverse slot toaccommodate a flange of an Vable position for `the `Weill construction Vwhereby a plurality of distinct-alignments for the'channei Vbars are provided, said Vloelsehaving a plurality of spaced openings, a. separate member coextensive with the track having anupwardly extending face and a flange extending from anfedge thereof n LL m4152344 "foi" abtientwith the fieefed'g'e of sid tiack,

and means extending from said member for securn'g-Asadfmember .with said trank comprising lap portions arranged to overlap said base and having openings coinciding with said base opening` when"- sa'id edges are in abutme'rit .whereby saidftrack is. provided with two spaced opposed faces vas baseboards -for partition construction.

` HENRY BRAIDFF. 

